Microsoft’s IllumiRoom peripheral projector is the Xbox 720′s killer feature

del.icio.us Tags: entertainment,home theater,technology,gaming

• By Sebastian Anthony on April 29, 2013 at 9:09 am

Demo Video (HD)

YouTube video (HD)

Microsoft has strongly hinted that the IllumiRoom augmented reality peripheral projector is linked to the next-generation Xbox 720, in much the same way that Project Natal (Kinect) was eventually linked to the Xbox 360. To celebrate, Microsoft has released a new video that showcases the awesome potential of IllumiRoom, and also a ton of details on how IllumiRoom actually works.

If you missed the original IllumiRoom unveil, let me bring you up to speed. IllumiRoom is a wide-angle projector that’s (ideally) situated on your coffee table, pointed at your big-screen TV. The current prototype has a Kinect strapped to the projector, but the final version will have a Kinect sensor built in. The built-in Kinect uses an automatic calibration process to captures the color and geometry (shape, depth) of the wall behind and furniture around your TV. Then you hook the IllumiRoom up to your next-generation Xbox (wirelessly), and watch in awe as peripheral projection takes you to new levels of game immersion.

It isn’t until you watch the video that you begin to understand just how awesome peripheral projection is. The video above was captured in real-time, and hasn’t been edited or composited in any way. What you see is really what you will get, with the Xbox 720 and IllumiRoom projector.

Using its knowledge of your living room’s colors and geometry, IllumiRoom can create a huge range of visually stunning effects. As you see in the video, IllumiRoom can boost the color saturation of your furniture (by projecting red light on a mahogany cupboard), turn your furniture black and white (by projecting desaturated colors), or outline every edge, creating a cartoony effect. IllumiRoom can also project a star field, snowflakes that gather on your shelves, or a futuristic Tron-like grid. One of the weirdest effects, called radial wobble, takes a photo of your living room, distorts it, and then projects the distorted image — so it looks like your living room is wobbling around.

IllumiRoom, turned off

IllumiRoom, increased saturation

IllumiRoom, desaturated (black and white, kind of)

The real magic takes place when games are programmed to take advantage of IllumiRoom, though. At its most basic, IllumiRoom projects the game world onto the wall/furniture, expanding your field of view; imagine sitting on the couch and having the world of Skyrim take up your entire field of view. Another option is to have IllumiRoom only display important features, such as projectiles and explosions — so instead of a shot missing you, you might see the bullet fly off to your left. Taking this one step further, IllumiRoom also makes it possible for objects — such as grenades — to roll out of the TV and onto the floor in front of your coffee table.

All of these effects can be combined — so the next Halo game might have rockets that fly into your peripheral vision, grenades that roll towards you, rain that puddles on the floor, and furniture that ripples whenever you’re struck by a plasma rifle. The same effects can also be used with non-game content; Peter Jackson could release a new version of Lord of the Rings that makes use of IllumiRoom, for example.

The current IllumiRoom prototype, which now needs to be productized

All told, the Microsoft Research team that developed IllumiRoom has created 11 different effects (detailed in their research paper), and they say that a lot more are possible. They have shown IllumiRoom to 10 gamers and 15 game designers, with both groups providing “very positive feedback.” Moving forward, IllumiRoom now has to be productized — it has to be turned into a single unit, encapsulating both a projector and Kinect sensor. “Ideally, IllumiRoom would be directly integrated into a next generation console and new games would be designed for IllumiRoom from the ground up,” the research paper says.

Considering Microsoft originally unveiled IllumiRoom at Samsung’s CES keynote, we’re fairly certain that Microsoft is working with Samsung to bring IllumiRoom to market. As for whether IllumiRoom will be ready for the Xbox 720′s launch this winter, who knows. Price-wise, going by the current price of wide-angle LED projectors, we’re probably talking about a few hundred dollars, too.

ASUS Launches PQ321 Monitor with 3840 x 2160 IGZO Display

del.icio.us Tags: ASUS,display,monitor,technology,computers

31.5-inch 4K Ultra HD Monitor features four-times the resolution of a Full HD display for incredibly detailed and lifelike images

2013/05/30

ASUS today announced the PQ321 True 4K UHD Monitor, a desktop display with a stunning Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 resolution that’s equivalent to four Full HD displays stacked side-by-side. The PQ321 has a 31.5-inch LED-backlit 4K Ultra HD display (140 pixels-per-inch) with 16:9 aspect ratio, and supports 10-bit RGB ‘deep color’ for vibrant images with more natural transitions between hues.

Cutting-edge IGZO panel technology

The ASUS PQ321 True 4K UHD Monitor uses cutting-edge Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide (IGZO) rather than traditional amorphous silicon for the active layer of its LCD panel. IGZO panels support much smaller transistors than amorphous silicon, which in turn gives much smaller pixels and the 3840 x 2160 resolution of the PQ321 is four times that of a 1920 x 1080 Full HD display.
176-degree wide viewing angles on both vertical and horizontal planes minimize onscreen color shift, while the 350cd/m² brightness rating and 8ms gray-to-gray response time ensure smooth, bright, and vibrant moving visuals. IGZO technology also gives reduced energy consumption compared to amorphous silicon and reduces bulk — at 35mm at its thickest point, the PQ321 is the thinnest 4K UHD monitor available today.

Comprehensive video inputs for UHD content

The ASUS PQ321 True 4K UHD Monitor features Display Port and US models offer dual-HDMI ports inputs with Picture-by-Picture support. Built-in 2W stereo speakers remove the need for additional desktop clutter and, in addition to being wall-mountable, the monitor stand offers full height, swivel, and tilt adjustment.

Turn your HDTV into a Smart TV!

Android Powered TV Box w/Wireless-N, LAN, Camera/Mic

del.icio.us Tags: Smart TV appliance,entertainment,WiFi,Web Cam

, Mini HDMI & USB Ports

Bring the power of Android into your living room with this BC618-CH Android Powered TV Box!
With the BC618-CH TV box you can surf the web, check Facebook, watch videos from Netflix, read eBooks, play games, download thousands of apps  just like you would with an Android smartphone but on a much larger TV screen. The built-in webcam and microphone allows you to video chat with friends and family.
This powerful TV box runs on the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system and is based on the ARM Cortex A8 1.3 GHz processor with 512 MB of DDR3 memory, and 4 GB internal flash memory. It comes with a T-Flash (microSD/microSDHC) expansion card slot that supports up to 32 GB of storage
Plus, it's equipped with 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Ethernet network port for wireless or wired Internet connectivity. Two USB host ports are provided for connecting devices such as a mouse or keyboard. Get your BC618-CH Android Powered TV Box today!

Features/Specifications:

• Android Powered TV Box
  
• General Features:
• Black color
• Converts your TV/Monitor into a Smart TV
• Powered by the Android 4.0 OS (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• ARM Cortex A8 1.3 GHz processor
• 512 MB DDR3 RAM
• 4 GB internal flash memory
• Built-in 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN
• T-Flash (microSD/microSDHC) expansion card slot, supports up to 32 GB
• Built-in camera and microphone
• Supports 3G USB dongle
• Includes TV holder for mounting on top of your HDTV
• Front Features:
• Camera
• Microphone
• LED indicator
• IR (Infrared sensor) remote controller
• Two (2) Type A USB Host ports
• Rear Ports:
• One (1) Type C Mini HDMI v1.3 port
• One (1) Micro USB port
• One (1) RJ-45 Ethernet port
• One (1) T-Flash card slot
• One (1) 3.5 mm AV out jack
• Other Features:
• Supports up to 60 languages
• Office: Word, Excel, PDF, TXT
• Internet Chat Support: MSN, Skype, QQ
• Audio Formats: MP3, WAV, EMA, AAC
• Recording Format: AMR
• Photo Format: JPEG
• Video Formats: H264: 1080p, MPEG-4/2/1, DivX, Xvid: 1080p, RMVB, RM: 720p
• Video Recording Format: MP4
• Picture Format: JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG
• E-Book Format: PDF, TXT
• Game: 2D/3D games
• Power Specifications:
• Power Input: 5V, 2A micro USB
• Standby Consumption: < 500mW
• Average Power Consumption: 5W
• Unit Dimensions:
• 0.8 x 3.1 x 2.6-inches (H x W x D, approximate)

Package Includes:

• Android Powered TV Box
• Quick Guide
• TV box holder
• AC adapter (Input: 100 - 240V, 50/60Hz, 0.3A, Output: DC 5V, 2A)

Additional Information:

• Notes:
• Model: BC618-CH
• Product Requirements:
• TV with HDMI port
• Available power outlet
• Available USB port
• Router with RJ-45 Ethernet port
• Wireless Network connection
• Mini Type C HDMI to Type A HDMI cable
• Micro USB to Type A USB cable
• 3.5 mm to RCA composite cable
• T-Flash (microSD/microSDHC) memory card
• USB or wireless mouse or keyboard

Asus ET2701 INKI Review: A Multipurpose Media Machine

 

del.icio.us Tags: ASUS,desktops,all on one,HTPC

Asus ET2701 INKI Review, by Alex Cocilova July 9, 2012

We get lots of functional, pretty all-in-one desktops through the PCWorld Labs, and the ET2701 INKI is Asus's latest entry. This high-definition, 27-inch system, priced at $1299 (as of 7/9/2012), is equipped with one of Intel's newest and fastest processors plus a discrete Nvidia graphics chip.

The Core i7-3770S CPU runs at a 3.1GHz base clock frequency, with Intel Turbo Technology kicking it all the way up to 3.9GHz when needed. That’s plenty fast for any desktop, let alone an all-in-one machine. Asus coupled that with an abundant 8GB of DDR3-SDRAM, making applications open quickly. I love seeing all-in-one desktops with a discrete graphics chip, even if it's a midrange mobile one. The ET2701 INKI uses the Nvidia GeForce GT 640M GPU with a gigabyte of video memory on board. It ran through our Dirt 3 and Crysis 2 benchmarks on high settings at a maximum resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels and scored an average of 41.3 frames per second in Dirt 3 and 19.1 fps in Crysis 2. While Dirt 3 is playable at that rate, the more-demanding Crysis 2 appears choppy and constantly skipped frames.

The holy grail for gamers is the coveted 60 frames per second (or more), and the Asus ET2701 INKI manages to achieve that rate in both games by sacrificing resolution and graphics levels. The frame rate for Dirt 3 jumps to 77.5 fps when lowering the resolution to 1024 by 768 pixels. When we changed the settings to low and kept the resolution at 1920 by 1080, it managed 76.2 fps. For Crysis 2, we had to sacrifice everything, setting the graphics to low and the resolution to 1024 by 768 pixels to achieve 62.4 fps. While the Asus ET2701 INKI may not be designed with gamers in mind--hard-core gamers, at any rate--it still manages to get the job done.

The Asus ET2701 INKI scored 111 on our strenuous WorldBench 7 benchmark suite. This means that it’s 11 percent faster than the baseline test-bed system. It’s impressive anytime a large, thin all-in-one can outperform our full-size desktop test bed. Fitting all those powerful components into a sleek, single package that fits in a chassis the size of an LCD screen is no easy feat.

No Touching

Though the screen is large and crisp with its 1920-by-1080-pixel resolution (making it suited, by definition, to 1080p video), it lacks any touch support, even though the release of Windows 8 is on the horizon. Given that Win 8's Metro interface emphasizes touchscreen features, it’s imperative that new systems take advantage of touch going forward. With touchscreen tablets so popular in the device market and Microsoft's own Surface tablet set to run Windows 8's Metro, desktops must have touchscreens to stay on a par with such competition. Also, a few gimmicky touchscreen games can really pique some consumers' interest.

On the plus side, not being a touchscreen means less cleaning. The black border of the ET2701's screen is a fingerprint magnet and will get smudged as you tilt or move it. The menu and mode-select buttons are touch sensitive, so you don't even need to push them for activation. A slight graze will send your computer searching for HDMI input or will open the menu. The screen itself looks good from most angles (Asus claims 178 degrees of vertical and horizontal viewable angles), but it is very reflective when under direct light.

The system comes with a single 7200-rpm, 2TB hard drive split into two partitions: a small one for the Windows 7 Home Premium operating system and a few programs, and a second partition labeled as a data drive. Such a split feels unnecessary, especially since everything is already on a single drive. Since programs naturally install to the C partition, which quickly fills up and causes low disc space warnings, I anticipate some confusion and frustration for casual PC users.

The ET2701 is well connected all around. It has the typical gigabit ethernet adapter and wireless 802.11n connection. The addition of Bluetooth is nice for connecting applicable devices without having to use up the scarce USB ports.

The system has a total of five USB ports: two USB 3.0 ports and an eSATA/USB 2.0 one on the side, plus two USB 2.0 ports on the back. This is far too few, especially since the dongle for the wireless mouse automatically takes up a slot. Other ports are an SD card reader, VGA (input only), an antenna, and an HDMI-in for hooking up a game console or media device. Including an antenna and an HDMI port is becoming common for many all-in-ones, as it supports the notion that they are not only PCs, but desktop televisions as well. It's great to kill two birds with one stone and get a completely functional television, but the lack of any kind of video output means no support for dual displays. On the other hand, Asus has included a Blu-ray optical drive, a great amenity on these high-definition, media-centric machines. An included wireless mouse and keyboard keeps the desk mess to a minimum. Finally, the all-in-one standard webcam and integrated microphone are included for online calls.

Boosting Bass

Asus throws in its SonicMaster Subwoofer to provide better sound at higher volumes. It has its own special port on the side that is designed especially for the subwoofer, and a removable sticker protects it to make sure you know it’s proprietary. The subwoofer resembles a UFO and is large enough to be a prominent object on any desk. It indeed boosts volume, making even the halfway mark seem loud, and it helps the ET2701 INKI transcend other similar desktops when people are choosing a media-centric PC, because good sound is certainly considered part of the high-definition experience.The 'UFO' at lower left is Asus's SonicMaster Subwoofer.

The HP Omni 27 101-T seems nearly identical to the Asus E2701 INKI in its components. They have the same screen size and same hard-drive capacity, and the graphics card and processor are near-equivalent. The Asus runs a bit stronger with its Core i7 instead of the Core i5 that the HP has; however, the Asus is over $200 cheaper (the HP is priced at $1549). The HP does have an extra USB port and a minimally better Worldbench 7 score at 115 (versus the Asus's above-mentioned 111), due to slightly faster hard-drive processing. But you would miss out on the Blu-ray drive, the extra powerful processor, and the slightly smoother gameplay of the Asus, not to mention a couple of Benjamin Franklins from your wallet. These advantages make the Asus is a home run in comparison.

The Asus's configuration is also similar to that of the Dell XPS One 27, though the Asus is priced lower. The Dell fares a bit better on WorldBench 7, and it ships with 2GB of video memory. What really differentiates the two is the Dell’s higher resolution: 2560 by 1440 pixels, compared with the more-standard 1920 by 1080 pixels of the INKI.

The Asus E2701 INKI is an excellent media machine, especially for such a low list price. You will no doubt get your money’s worth in terms of a computer, a good if less-intensive gaming machine, and a high-definition television. If you are a media maven to whom a touchscreen seems to be an unnecessary gimmick, this Asus may be a great fit.

How to Build a Powerful Home Theater PC for Less Than $500

 

It used to be an expensive and time-consuming task to custom-build a dedicated home theater PC (HTPC). Here's how to build a tiny dedicated HTPC with Blu-Ray drive, 2 GB RAM, 128 GB hard drive and heatsink for less than the price of most off-the-shelf Blu-Ray players.

Technorati Tags: HTPC,Home Theater,entertainment,audio,computers,Blue Ray

A few years ago, I built an enormous home theater PC that cost about $1200. Because it's on most of the time, it runs too hot, and the fans trying to cool it down are loud, which makes the whole thing sound like a jet engine. My new HTPC, built around Nvidia ION graphics, is outperforming my old PC and has been shrunk down to the size of a cigar box. With some new features such as an internal Blu-ray player and a noiseless heatsink (instead of a loud fan) to absorb and dissipate heat, it streams HD multimedia without flickering or stuttering and it cost less than $500 dollars (and could cost as little as $300).
If you don't want to build your own computer, start with either a bare-bones (preassembled) PC like the ASRock ION 330. The computer is missing a Blu-ray drive, but comes with 320 GB HD and 2 GB of memory all wrapped up in a small, glossy black case.
But if you're a real DIYer, start with separate components, tailoring the PC however you want. The entire building process took me less than 30 minutes.
Heres a shopping list: case, motherboard, RAM, wireless remote, Windows OS and a hard drive. NVIDIA's new ION graphics processor is powerful for integrated graphics. Think of it as a supercharger for the PC's visual performance. It excels at handling full 1080p video with 7.1 surround sound and transcodes video up to 10 times faster than an Atom CPU alone. ION can even handle a few games without choking.

The process begins with the motherboard and case. Start with an ION motherboard like the Zotac ION-ITX and a case like the Travla C287 Mini-ITX Case. The essentials, such as a mini-PCIe Wi-Fi card, an HDMI out and a dual-core Intel Atom 330 processor, are already onboard in the motherboard. The only thing left to do is add RAM and turn it on.

Place the Zotac motherboard into the case using the four supplied screws.

Snap in some RAM. I used 2 gigs of Corsair xms2.

I added a Kingston 128 GB SSD hard drive for speed. And an HTPC wouldn't be complete without a Blu-Ray drive. I screwed an internal laptop Blu-ray drive from Panasonic into the case's supplied tray.

Connect the wires (all three!) and close the case. Attach it to a TV with an HDMI cable and power up.

The rest of the time is spent installing Windows 7 and configuring some applications.
I've kept it very light on software. Kaspersky is my favorite virus-protection software; I install this in every PC I build. Pidgin is my choice for IM client; Libre Office for a free alternative to the extremely expensive Microsoft Office. I wanted to make sure ION could handles some games. I installed Spore (perfectly playable), Call of Duty 4 (I changed most of the settings), and Left4Dead (set everything on low) and it works. TMPGEnc 4.0 Xpress (with Nvidia's CUDA) is fast and straightforward. Now the best software recipe for playing Multimedia is a combination of Windows Media Center, Cyberlink's PowerDVD 9 and Media Player Classic Home Cinema. Windows Media Center does 95 percent of the work playing movies and music files, while Cyberlink's PowerDVD 9 handles the decoding of Blu-ray discs. And as for streaming 1080p MKV files, I rely on Media Player Classic Home Cinema. From music to movies, surfing the web to streaming Netflix, everything is working perfectly. No hiccups, stuttering, loss of audio or overheating. This is the easiest home theater PC you'll ever put together ... until the next breakthrough product comes along!